It seems there is a growing trend that is very disturbing for travelers. When you travel, especially by plane, your luggage and carry on articles are searched by TSA agents that work for the airport or other travel service. They are supposed to be doing an important job of making sure anything that could be dangerous doesn't make it onto the plane. They will use x-ray machines to check what you are carrying in your luggage. Unfortunately, a number of TSA agents have been caught stealing what they see in your luggage. They don't even care about locks since they have learned how to pick them successfully. Is there something you can do to prevent theft of expensive possessions when traveling? Not really. It's the agents that need to be more carefully screened.
The Numbers of Arrests Is On the Increase
Over the last few years there have been several TSA agents fired and many arrested for stealing. From 2003 until now, over 380 people have been fired who were caught stealing from passengers. There have been at least 11 so far this year. Besides losing their jobs, TSA agents also face jail time because of their crimes. There is one man who worked as a TSA agent who says he stole approximately $800,000 worth of items that he then would resell using EBay. This was done over a 4 year period. He did do jail time because of his crimes.
Types of Items Stolen
Valuables, especially electronics are a favorite item. They will screen your luggage and locate the items of interest such as jewelry, cameras, computers, iPads and even game consoles. Once the item is located they will take advantage of working alone and turn off surveillance to then pick the locks on the luggage and take whatever they want. One man claims to have taken items and then walked right out of the airport with them without ever being questioned.
This makes you wonder about the entire TSA system and just how deep the corruption goes. A worker for the TSA has no reason to be carrying items out of the workplace without being questioned. When a gaming console is carried out there should be plenty of questions raised by other members of the TSA. Should the entire system be changed? What can be done to prevent thefts by people who are supposed to be trusted personnel? Hopefully, with all the current publicity, the TSA agents will now be watched under a brighter light. Another words, we have to police, the police.
In conjunction with jail time, fines, job loss and a criminal record, those caught stealing will most likely be mandated to take a Theft Class for education and retribution purposes. The goal is to instill a sense of empathy and understanding in these criminals, so they will think twice about ever stealing again. These theft classes can now be taken online from any web-based computer. This is a benefit to the consumer as they don’t have to drive anywhere to get to a classroom, at a certain time of the day. Classes can be purchased at a click of the button and are available immediately to take 24/7. If you have been involved in a theft and haven’t been caught yet, these online classes are highly recommended to help overcome the desire, before it’s too late.
